The way to make headway is to take charge of things, starting with the testing. It's important that you trust the readings and can get them any time you need or want them. Think about it - would you go on a diet and trust the scale at the nutrition store if it gave you two different readings back to back? Wouldn't you prefer to have your own scale at home, where, even if it was a pound off, it was at least consistent and you could see your progress?
Check youtube for how-to videos on filter cleaning.
Solar heat, saltwater chlorinators, all that stuff is great. But what you're really after is clear, sanitary water to go swimming in! So worry about the water quality first. It's a lot easier to stomach the bills for the nifty upgrades if you're actually swimming in the thing!